Ruins of 1904 fire, Bay Street looking north
Ruins of 1904 fire, Bay Street looking north from just north of Front Street
April 1904
Fonds 1244, Item 2

In 1904, a great fire devastated a downtown Toronto warehouse district. Although no dwellings were destroyed, the fire prompted extensive changes to building regulations that had far-reaching effects, extending across the city to all types of structures

One direct effect was a shift from wood to brick in new housing construction. After the fire, more comprehensive planning and land regulation was introduced, serving as an effective response to increasing urban congestion.